"While looking in the Bible for a verse for Willie to commit to memory to repeat in the Sabbath school, this scripture arrested my attention: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” I could but weep over these words, they seemed so appropriate. The whole burden upon my mind was for my husband and the church in Wisconsin. My husband did realize the blessing of God while in Wisconsin. The Lord was to him a stronghold in time of trouble and sustained him by His free Spirit while he bore a decided testimony against the wild fanaticism there. 1T 245.1"
"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
The EGW passage quotes Nahum 1:7 almost verbatim. This is a clear and direct allusion.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The EGW passage directly quotes a verse very similar to Psalms 9:9 (though she attributes it to an unknown source). The sentiment and context are clearly linked, making this an explicit allusion.
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
The EGW passage directly quotes a verse very similar to Psalms 9:9 (though she attributes it to an unknown source). The sentiment and context are clearly linked, making this an explicit allusion.
"My dear babe was a great sufferer. Twenty-four days and nights we anxiously watched over him, using all the means that we could for his recovery and earnestly presenting his case to the Lord. At times I could not control my feelings as I witnessed his sufferings. Much of my time was spent in tears and humble supplication to God. But our heavenly Father saw fit to remove the loved one. 1T 245.3"
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Both passages deal with sorrow and God's presence in times of grief. The EGW passage describes her grief over her child's suffering and death, while the Psalm speaks of God's nearness to the brokenhearted. The connection is thematic and meaningful.
"David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth."
Both passages describe a parent's fervent prayer and grief over a sick child. David's actions in 2 Samuel 12:16 parallel Ellen White's description of her own supplication and distress. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Both passages deal with the loss of a child and acknowledging God's sovereignty in the midst of grief. Job's statement is a classic expression of faith in the face of loss, and Ellen White's acceptance of her child's death echoes this sentiment, although not as directly as a quote or explicit allusion.
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
The EGW passage describes praying for her sick child, and the Matthew verse speaks to the principle of God's willingness to give good gifts to those who ask. While the outcome is different (the child dies), the underlying principle of seeking God's help is present in both passages.